Modular Filter For A Vacuum Mug

ABSTRACT

A modular filter for a vacuum mug comprises a mug cap and at least one filter basket. The mug cap&#39;s bottom opening has a cylindrical shape whose outer wall is threaded. The filter basket comprises a cylindrical top plate, at least one vertical post, and a cylindrical bottom plate. The vertical posts are disposed equidistantly around the perimeter of the top and bottom plates. The cylindrical top plate, vertical posts, and cylindrical bottom plate are fused together to form a cylindrical cage structure. The gaps between said vertical posts are covered with stainless steel mesh screens. The top plate&#39;s inner wall is threaded for mating with the threads on the outer wall of the mug cap&#39;s bottom opening. The bottom plate comprises of top and bottom halves wherein the bottom half is inset and its outer wall is threaded.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)to the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No.62/320,478, titled “Methods and System for Making Vacuum Mug ModularFilters,” which was filed on Apr. 9, 2016, and which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beverage containers, and morespecifically, to vacuum thermal mugs for preserving hot or coldbeverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coffee and tea pots have been used for centuries to brew coffee or tea.The common method has been pouring hot water over the coffee grinds ortea leafs, and allowing the water to infuse and extract the solublesolids from the brew product. A later improvement provided a strainingmeans located near the opening's neck permitting the brewing to takeplace without having to sift the brew leftover from the beverage. Thisimprovement was advantageous but required removing the straining deviceprior to pouring. This drawback has been overcome with a stopper/capthat comprises both an opening for pouring the beverage and an openingfor the strainer/filter.

As people get busier, they do not have time for brewing a perfect cup ofcoffee or tea notwithstanding a brewing pot that conveniently separatesthe brew leftover and the brew. Furthermore, they also want to keeptheir beverages warmer longer so they can get the best tastes. Thesedesires have been met with a vacuum mug, or thermal mug, that insulatesthe beverage inside from the temperature outside, and has become amodern convenience that busy coffee or tea drinkers cannot functionwithout. A vacuum mug with a stopper cap that comprises both a straineror filter, and an opening for sipping has allowed a coffee or teadrinker to brew her coffee or tea on the go as if the user takes abrewing pot with her. The vacuum mug keeps the hot water hot, so thecoffee or tea inside the strainer filter has time to brew while the usertravels to the workplace.

The more convenient and functionally better vacuum mugs get, the moreoften people use them. Thus, naturally, they want their mugs to be everlarger or taller, to contain larger quantity of their drinks, so thatthey do not have to refill their mugs so often. Since the mugs aregetting larger, they post a problem of inconsistent quality of thebrewed beverage. For example, over extraction, due to brewing groundcoffee in consistently hot water for a long period, results in intenselybitter coffee, while under extracted coffee, due to cooler water and/orshorter brewing period, is usually sour and lacking in complexity. Witha larger or taller mug, this problem will be exacerbated where a smallstrainer/filter is attached under the cap near the top, and half emptybeverage is at the bottom of the tall mug, and the brewing stops whenthe user drinks too fast. This scenario is actually common when peopleare busier.

However, a single deep filter will not be a good solution either becausethe entire amount of the brew product stay submerged at the bottom ofthe filter, and the longer the coffee or tea is submerged in the water,the longer the brewing time and, thus, the more likely an overextraction, and bitter beverages. Thus, it is desirable that the userhas some finer control of the brewing.

Furthermore, for drinkers who like to add flavor ingredients to theirbeverages, they do not have a way to add the flavor ingredients exceptputting the ingredients directly into the coffee or tea leaves beforebrewing. In some instances, mixing flavor ingredients and brew productIs not desirable. In other instances, submerging the flavor ingredientsin the beverage for a long period is not desirable. Perhaps, in theseinstances the drinker only wants a mild flavor.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a vacuum mugthat allows brewing and enjoying the brew while traveling.

It is the object of this invention to provide a vacuum mug thatmaintains the temperature of the contained beverage for brewingeffectiveness and taste.

It is the object of this invention to provide a vacuum mug thatseparates the brew leftover and the brew without the need of sifting thebrew leftover from the brew.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vacuum mug that allowsimmediate beverage consumption without the need of removing the brewleftover.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vacuum mug that allowscustomizable taste of the brew.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vacuum mug that allowsmultiple strainers/filters to be attached.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vacuum mug that allowsstrainers/filters to be stacked vertically.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A modular filter for a vacuum mug comprises a mug cap and at least onefilter basket. The mug cap's bottom opening has a cylindrical shapewhose outer wall is threaded. The filter basket comprises a cylindricaltop plate, at least one vertical post, and a cylindrical bottom plate.The vertical posts are disposed equidistantly around the perimeter ofthe top and bottom plates. The cylindrical top plate, vertical posts,and cylindrical bottom plate are fused together to form a cylindricalcage structure. The gaps between said vertical posts are covered withstainless steel mesh screens. The top plate's inner wall is threaded formating with the threads on the outer wall of the mug cap's bottomopening. The bottom plate comprises of top and bottom halves wherein thebottom half is inset and its outer wall is threaded.

In one embodiment, the filter basket's bottom is perforated. In anotherembodiment, the filter basket's bottom is imperforated. In yet anotherembodiment, the filter basket has an open bottom.

In some implementation of this invention, at least one tap is disposedon the outer wall of the mug cap's bottom opening, and at least oneL-shaped gap is disposed on the wall of the top plate. The gap isdisposed so that it can receive the tap. Furthermore, at least one tapis disposed on the outer wall of the bottom half of the bottom plate.

In another implementation of this invention, the modular filtercomprises an cylindrical end cap, whose top cylindrical opening's innerwall is threaded. The end cap's bottom can be perforated orimperforated.

In yet another implementation of this invention, the cylindrical end caphas at least one L-shaped gap on its top opening's wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will not bedescribed with reference to the drawings of certain preferredembodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit theinvention, and in which

FIG. 1 shows a prior art mug with its cap and a cross sectional of anembodiment of the modular strainer/filter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filter basket of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a filter basket of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top down view of a filter basket of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric and cross sectional view of an assembled mug capand attached modular filter baskets of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a mug cap and to-be-attached modularfilter baskets.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a filter basket of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a filter basket of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an end cap of the current invention.

FIG. 10 is a top down view of an end cap.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an end cap.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of another mug cap and to-be-attachedmodular filter baskets.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the currentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments are described in detail with reference to the relateddrawings. Additional embodiments, features, and/or advantages willbecome apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned bypracticing the invention. The following description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describingthe general principles of the invention. The steps described herein forperforming methods form one embodiment of the invention, and, unlessotherwise indicated, not all of the steps must necessarily be performedto practice the invention, nor must the steps necessarily be performedin the order listed. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one”or “some” embodiment(s) in this disclosure are not necessarily to thesame embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

The present invention has been conceived with the aim of addressing oneor more of the current vacuum mugs' problems. More specifically, thepresent invention is directed to a vacuum mug that can contain largequantity of beverage, maintains the beverage temperature to sustaindesired taste, and allows controlled and customizable brewing process toachieve desired taste at all beverage water-level of the beverage.

Referring to FIG. 1, a modular filter 100 is shown assembled inside amug. The filter, in this embodiment, has two baskets, 101 and 102. Allfilter baskets comprise a cylindrical top plate, a cylindrical bottomplate, and vertical posts disposed equidistantly around the perimetersof the top and bottom plates. The ends of the posts are fused to the topand bottom plates. Together, top and bottom plates and the posts form acage structure that has a cylindrical shape. The filter basket ispreferably constructed of a thermoplastic material such aspolypropylene, acrylic, allyl diglycol carbonate, polycarbonate,polystyrene, polysulfone, polyester sulfone or polyester. Mesh screens,preferably made of stainless steel, are inserted circumferentiallywithin the cage structure and between two neighboring vertical posts.

Referring to FIG. 2, a single filter basket 200 is shown. The filterbasket 200 has a cage structure that has a cylindrical shape. The basketis preferably constructed of a thermoplastic material such aspolypropylene, acrylic, allyl diglycol carbonate, polycarbonate,polystyrene, polysulfone, polyester sulfone or polyester. The cagestructure's vertical posts 201 are equidistantly disposed around thecage's perimeter. Mesh screens 202, preferably made of stainless steel,are inserted circumferentially within the thermoplastic cage and betweentwo neighboring vertical posts 201. The filter basket 200 furthercomprises a perforated bottom 203. The bottom 203 is preferably coveredwith a mesh screen. This mesh screen, like the others around thecircumference of the basket, allows water and soluble solids goingthrough, but contains the brew leftover inside the basket for easy andconvenient disposal. It is also appreciated that the bottom of thebasket can be imperforated. The filter basket further comprises acylindrical top plate 204, and a cylindrical bottom plate 205.

Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of a single filter basket 300 is shown.The view discloses the symmetry of the mesh screens 301 disposed on thetwo sides of a structural post 302. The distant sides of the meshscreens are inserted into the next posts, whose side profiles are shown.The top plate 303 and bottom plate 304 are fused with the posts to formthe filter basket's cage structure. The bottom plate 304 further has topand bottom halves. The top half s outer perimeter equals the basket's.The bottom half s outer perimeter is inset and smaller than the top halfs outer perimeter so that it can be received and fit in the top openingof the below filter basket.

Referring to FIG. 4, a top down view of a filter basket 400 is shown.This view discloses the basket has four posts 401 in this embodiment.Furthermore, the posts 401 are disposed equidistantly around theperimeter of the basket. In this embodiment, the basket is bottomless,and it is appreciated that this basket is stacked in the middle sectionof the filter unit.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, a cross sectional view of afully assembled unit 500 of a mug cap and three vertically stackedmodular filter baskets is shown. In this embodiment, the unit 500comprises a cap 501 whose bottom opening is threaded on the outside wallto allow the cap to be screwed into the opening of the topmost filterbasket 503, whose opening is threaded on the inside wall. The mug cap'sthreads 502 mate with the topmost filter basket's threads 504 to form atight attachment. It is appreciated that the recessed bottom of the cap501, inside the opening, is perforated to allow the beverage through,but keep the brew leftover back. As shown, the same attachment mechanismis repeated between the filter baskets. The bottom opening of the abovebasket 503 is, in turn, threaded on the outside wall to allow the basketto be screwed into the opening of the below filter basket 506, whoseopening is threaded on the inside wall. Basket 503's threads 505 matewith basket 506's threads 507 to form a tight attachment between thefilter baskets. The three filter baskets are used to contain brewproducts, like ground coffee, tea leaves, flavor ingredients, and thelike. How much brew products and what kind in each filter baskets aredecided and customized by the user. By personal experience, the user canadjust the amount of brew products in each filter basket to achieve andsustain the desired taste until the beverage is totally consumed.

Referring to FIG. 6, an exploded view of a unit of a mug cap and thefilter baskets are shown to show the elements of each filter basket andillustrate how the unit is put together. In this embodiment, thecylindrical filter basket 600 comprises a cylindrical top plate 601,vertical posts 602, and a cylindrical bottom plate 603. The verticalposts are disposed equidistantly around the perimeter of the top andbottom plates. The top plate, posts, and bottom plate are fused togetherto form one cylindrical filter basket. It is appreciated that the spacesbetween the vertical posts are covered by, preferably, stainless steelmeshes to contain the brew products and the brew leftover inside. Thetop plate 601 is threaded on the inside wall to receive the bottomopening of the cap or that of the above filter basket. The bottom plate603 is threaded on the outside wall to allow the filter basket above tobe screwed into the filter basket below. Each filter basket has a bottomto close the opening of the bottom plate. It is appreciated that thefilter basket's bottom can be perforated to let liquid through, but keepthe brew product back inside each filter basket. In another embodiment,the filter basket's bottom can seal the bottom plate's openingcompletely. Depending on the implementation of the bottoms of the filterbaskets, perforated or not, an end cap 604 is needed to close off thebottom opening of the bottommost filter basket.

Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of a single filter basket 700 isshown. Basket 700 shows a close-up view of the basket with threads 701on the inside of the top opening. The threads is made on the insideperimeter of the top plate 702. As disclosed above and in FIG. 6,threads 701 will mate with threads on the outer perimeter of the mugcap's bottom, or that of the next higher filter basket's bottom. The topplate is fused with posts 703 that are disposed equidistantly around theperimeter of the top plate, and, thus, the perimeter of the basket. Thegaps between the posts 703 are covered with mesh screens 704 to keep thebrew products and leftovers within the filter. The posts 703 are, inturn, fused with the bottom plate 705 and disposed equidistantly aroundthe perimeter of the bottom plate. The bottom plate is threaded on theoutside wall. The threads 706, as disclosed above, will mate withthreads on the inside perimeter of the below basket's top opening.

Referring to FIG. 8, a side view of a single filter basket 800 is shown.Basket 800 shows symmetrical mesh screens 801 on the left and rightsides of a post 802, and, thus, shows the equidistance among the posts802. FIG. 8 also discloses a bottom plate 803 that has the bottom half souter perimeter being inset so that it can be screwed in the belowbasket's top opening as disclosed above. In this way of attachment, allouter perimeters of the filter baskets are the same, as well as thefilter unit's. It is appreciated that in another embodiment the bottomplate's bottom half s outer perimeter is not inset. Rather, the topplate of the below basket is widened to receive the bottom of the abovebasket.

Referring to FIG. 9, a close-up view of an end cap 900 in one embodimentis shown. In certain implementation of the current invention, an end capis needed. In this embodiment, the end cap 900 has a cylindrical shapewith the top opening open to receive the bottom of the basket and thebottom opening perforated, and is preferably made of the samethermoplastic material as a filter basket's frame. The inner wall of thecap is threaded to receive the matching threads on the outer wall of thebottom plate of the last basket in the filter basket stack. The bottomopening of the cap has a joist 902 along a diameter thereof. The joiststrengthens the cap's structure, and provides more surfaces for thestainless steel mesh 903 to attach.

Referring to FIG. 10, a top-down view of an end cap 1000 is shown. Inthis embodiment, the bottom of the end cap has two crescent shapedopenings 1001. These openings allow liquid and soluble solids to flowfreely in and out the filter. As disclosed above, in one embodiment,these openings are covered with stainless steel mesh screens to keep thebrew products back inside the filter. In a different embodiment, the endcap is imperforated, and completely seals the bottom of the filter. Witha sealed bottom, the mesh screens surrounding the circumference of thefilter basket will perform the filtering function, and allow the liquidand soluble solids to flow in and out of the filter.

Referring to FIG. 11, a side view of an end cap 1100 is shown. The caphas a quarter round bottom edge for handling and aesthetic purposes.

Referring to FIG. 12, an exploded view of a unit 1200 of a mug cap andthe filter baskets is shown. In this embodiment, the attachmentmechanism is a push and turn locking mechanism. Instead of beingthreaded as in other embodiments, the outside wall of the cap bottomopening is smooth and unthreaded. Two tabs 1201 are disposed on theouter wall of the bottom opening of the cap. The tabs are preferablydisposed across from each other. Similarly, there are no threads on thetop plate of the filter basket. Instead, there are two L-shape gaps 1202on the wall of the top plate, which are disposed to receive thecorresponding tabs 1201. As the cap bottom is inserted into the filterbasket opening, the protruding tabs 1201 slide in the gaps 1202. The capand filter basket are attached when the cap is turned so that the tabs1201 slide horizontally along the bottom of the L-shape gaps 1202 andare locked in. There are similar tabs 1203 on the outer wall of thefilter basket's bottom plate, and similar L-shape gaps 1204 on the wallof the top plate of the next filter basket, and the wall of the end cap.With this method of attachment, the filter unit can be extended as longor tall as the user wants. It is preferable that the tabs are made ofthe same material as the cap and filter basket.

Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the current invention isshown. In this embodiment, a unit 1300 of a mug cap and filter basketscan be attached by push-and-turn mechanism. The middle filter basket orbaskets are covered with stainless steel meshes circumferentially withinthe thermoplastic cage like other afore disclosed embodiments. However,unlike other embodiments, the bottom 1301 of these middle filters isopen without a stainless steel mesh. In this embodiment, the filter unitcan be extended as much as the user likes with one or more middle filterbaskets. The whole unit is bottom capped with an end filter basket madewith its bottom 1302 being covered with a stainless steel mesh so thatbrew products and leftovers are kept in the filter. The bottom ispreferably reinforced with a joist 1303 of the same material as thebasket frame's along a diameter of the circular bottom.

Referring to FIG. 14, a unit 1400 of another embodiment of the currentinvention is shown. In this embodiment, the filter baskets are screwedtogether to form a larger/taller filter unit. Similar to the embodimentdisclosed above and in FIG. 13, the middle filter baskets are bottomlesswithout any mesh screen. As disclosed above, the cap and baskets arecylindrical, and each has top and bottom plates. They are stacked andattached with mating threads; male threads on the outer wall of thebottom opening of the part above and female threads on the inner wall ofthe top opening of the part below. The filter unit is bottom capped witha bottom basket whose bottom 1401 is not open, but is covered preferablywith a stainless steel mesh.

1. A modular filter for a vacuum mug comprises a mug cap and at leastone filter basket wherein said mug cap's bottom opening has acylindrical shape whose outer wall is threaded; wherein said filterbasket comprises a cylindrical top plate, at least one vertical post,and a cylindrical bottom plate; wherein said vertical posts are disposedequidistantly around the perimeter of said top and bottom plates;wherein said cylindrical top plate, said vertical posts, and saidcylindrical bottom plate are fused together to form a cylindrical cagestructure; wherein gaps between said vertical posts are covered withstainless steel mesh screens; wherein said cylindrical top plate's innerwall is threaded for mating with said threads on said outer wall of saidmug cap's bottom opening; wherein said cylindrical bottom platecomprises of top and bottom halves; wherein said bottom half is insetand its outer wall is threaded.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid filter basket's bottom is perforated.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said filter basket's bottom is imperforated.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said filter basket has an open bottom.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein at least one tap is disposed on the outer wall ofsaid mug cap's bottom opening.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast one L-shaped gap is disposed on the wall of said cylindrical topplate; wherein said gap is disposed so that it receives said tap on saidmug cap's bottom opening.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at leastone tap is disposed on the outer wall of said bottom half of saidcylindrical bottom plate.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprisesan end cap.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said end cap has acylindrical shape whose top cylindrical opening's inner wall isthreaded.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said end cap's bottom isperforated.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said end cap hascylindrical shape whose top cylindrical opening's wall has at least oneL-shaped gap.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said end cap'sbottom is imperforated.